Visual signaling device



Jan..21, 1936. E. GRLER ET A1.

VISUAL SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Nov. 18, 1952 Illl lll

geb).

Patented Jan. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ApplicationNovember18, 1932, Serial No. 643,242 In Germany November 23, 1931 15 oiaims.(o1. 116-52) Visual signaling devices, such as direction indicators forautomobiles etc., are known, in which an intended change in thedirection of travel is signaled by an arm which swings out of a casing,A

such arm being usually illuminated when in its signaling position. Thearm is actuated by a Bowden wire, or by an electromagnet. Signalingdevices of various kinds are also known in which the signaling arm iscaused to continuously swing up and-down when in its signaling position.

The object of this invention is to provide such a signaling device inwhich the signaling arm is operated by (aspring weight or a weightoperated cable) or such like means, and is returned into itsnon-signaling position by the same `means of actuation. To this end theactuating member exerts force on the arm on the one side of its axis ofrotation, when swinging it out into signaling position, and exerts forceon the arm on the other side of its axis of rotation when returning itinto its non-signaling position. The device can also be constructed insuch a way as to cause the arm to swing continuously up and down, whenthe arm is in its signaling position.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which operate theactuating member when said means are moving in one direction only. Theseand other features of the invention will now be more fully describedwith reference to the 30 accompanying drawing which shows by way ofexample, one method in which this invention can be carried out and inwhich:-

Figure 1 shows the signaling arm in its inoperative position, with thecover of the casing removed.

Figure 2 shows the signaling arm in signaling position with the topVportion of the broken away.

Figure 3 shows a front elevation of the signal- 40 ing arm. Y

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the inside portion 4of the right side ofthe casing in Figure 3 with the operating members in one position.

Figure 5 shows the same view as in Figure 4 but with the operatingmembers in the other position.

The signaling device consists of a casing, having sides I and 2, inwhich, for instance on side I, is mounted the swinging signaling arm 3rotating around the pin 4. The signaling arm 3 carries, in known manner,a lamp bulb 5, to `which the current is carried through the spring 6which rests in the non-signaling position upon an insulated knob 'l on aconducting plate, thus cutting `the current off from the bulb. Thespring 6 is casing cover disengaged from. the knob 'I when the signalingarm is raised and connects with the conducting plate.

Upon the signaling arm-3, and supported by bolts 8, is a plate 9provided with an arcuate slot It, the axis of which coincides with apivot II on the arm 3 around which pivot turns a movable bearing blockI2.

This block I2 carries a pin I3, to which is connected one end of aspring I4, the other end of which spring is connected to a pin I5attached to the casing. The pin I3 projects through the slot IE! inplate 9. The length of the slot I0 is so selected that in the positionof rest of the arm 3, the line of connection of the left hand end of theslot I0 with the pin I5 passes on the left hand side of the pivot of thearm 3, while in the signaling position the line of connection betweenthe right hand end of the slot I0 and the pin I5 passes on the righthand side of the pivot of the arm even l when the latter oscllates.

1f the pin I 3 is brought into the position shown in Figure 2, then thespring I4 pulls the signaling arm into its signaling position, becausethe pin I3 is then on the right side of the axis of rota- T tion4 of thesignaling arm 3. If the pin is brought back again into the positionshown in Figure 1, then the same means of actuation, namely the springI4 will hold the signaling arm in its non-signaling position.

The switching over of the pin I3 from one side to the other of the axisof rotation of the signaling arm, is effected by a switch-gear shown inFigures 2 and 3. This switch-gear consists of a pivot pin I6 fastened tothe casing 2, to which pin isy secured a ratchet wheel Il. These teethare engaged by a pin I8, carried by the switch lever I9, the pin I8engaging the teeth of wheel I7 under the action of a compression spring20. The switch-lever or handle 'I9 may be moved always in clockwisedirection by a cable or some such means, whichcauses pin I8 to turn thewheel I1 and the pin I 6. The return of the switch-lever I9 is effectedby a spiral spring 2|. The switch-lever I9 is secured to a tubularcasing 22 and between this tubular casing 22 and the ratchet wheel I1 isanother tubular casing 23 which has an elongated slot, the dimension ofwhich limits the amount of movement of the switch-lever I9. tween thetubular casing 23 and the wheel I'I, one end of which spring is bentupwards so that it is depressed when the ratchet wheel is rotated in aclockwise direction and slides over a tooth. As the lever I9 is returnedby the spring 2|, the

There isV further a spring 24 bef spring 24 prevents rotation of thewheel II and the pin I8 slides over a tooth.

Fixed to the pivot pin I6 of the switch-gearing, and on the inside ofthe casing 2, is a double armed lever 25 having two pins 25 which may beprovided with sleeves for the purpose of reducing friction. If theswitch-lever iS, see Figure 5, is moved in the direction of the arrow,the double armed lever 25 is carried with it in the same direction. Theright hand pin 26 lifts a plate 2l into the position shown in Figure 4.This causes a pin 28 on the block E 2 to be lifted and the block to berotated around its pivot il in such a way,

that the pin i3 to which is connected the spring I4, is moved on to theright side .of the point of rotation d of the signaling arm. (Positionin Figure 2.) Actuated by spring 2l the switch lever returns to theposition shown in Figure 5.

If the switch-lever i9 is again moved as before, the double arm lever Zturns another This, the first place releases the plate 2l, after whichVthe pin 26 comes up against the lower end of a double lever Sii pivotedat 2S, and swings `this lever in a clockwise direction to cause the:upper pressure edge ,3l thereof to move the pin Z8 to the right(seeFigureV 4). The pin 28 is therefore moved in the direction towards thepoint of the signaling arm (see Figure 2). In other words block l2revolves round its axis il and the pin I3 to which is attached thespring I4 is lifted, whilst the pivot axis II makes a circular movementdownwards around the pin i carrying the signaling arm. This brings thepin I3V to `the left side of axis i so that the spring is pulls theYsignaling arm 3 back into its nonsignaling position within the casing.The plate Y2l is returned into the original position shown in 'Figure 5by the pressure exerted upon its upper edge by pin 28 which is caused toexert that pressure by spring Iii. The pin 2S is positioned on block I2in such a way thatwhen the signaling arm is in its signaling position asshown in Figure 2, the centre line of the pin 28 coincides with the axisof rotation of the signaling arm on pin 'i so that the signaling arm canbe made to nswing continuously up and down Linder the `oscillatingmovement of the spring M.

What we claim isz- 1. A signaling device comprising in combination apivoted signaling arm, an actuating member for the arm, means causingsuccessive movements of the actuating member in the same direction to beoperative first on one side and then on the other side of the axis ofthe said arm to swing the arm into and out of signaling positionalternately, and means causing an automatic retraction of the saidactuating member after each movement thereof.

2. A signaling device comprising in combination with a pivoted signalingarm, a pin slidable Ain an arcuate slot oi the said arm, a spring iixed,at one end and secured at the other end to said pin,.an actuatingmember and operating means which on successive movements of theactuating member in the same direction move the pin 'across the slot tobring the said pin rst-to one Vside -an-dthen 'to theV other side of thepivot of the signaling arm whereupon the spring raises or lowers the armthrough the pin engaging the end of the slot according to the side ofthe pivot to which Vthe pin has been brought by the said operatingmechanism.

3. A signaling device comprising in combination, .'a-pivoted signalingarm, a housing for the arm, a uni-directional actuating member pivotedexternally of the housing below the axis of the signaling arm, meansconnecting the actuating member with the signaling arm whereby a forwardangular movement of the actuating member raises the signaling arm intosignaling position and a second forward angular movement of theactuating member draws-the said arm out of action within its housing, aspring serving to secure the signaling arm in these respective positionsby a pull on that side of the axis of the arm corresponding to signalingposition or outof-acticn position.

4. A signaling device comprising in combination, a pivoted signalingarm, a plate containing an arcuate slot overhung from the signaling arm,a block pivoted on the said plate adjacent to the axis of rotation ofVthe signaling arm and having a pin riding within the said slot, aspring iixed at one end and connected at its other end to the said pin,an oper-ating pin projecting rearwardly of the said plate, an actuatingmember and means transmitting the movement of the actuating member tothe .operating pin, to move said vpin along the slot to one side orother of the pivot of the signaling arm, whereupon the spring throughthe pin eng-aging with the end of the slot pulls the arm into the raisedor lowered position according to which side the iirst mentioned pinoccupies with respect to the axis of rotation of the signaling arm.

5. A signaling device comprising in combination with a pivoted signalingarm, an oscillating block including a member riding in an arcuate slotformed in the signaling arm'with its center of curvature coincident withthe pivot of said block and moving about the axis of rotation of the armwhen the latter is swung, an actuating spring for the arm iixed at oneend and means connecting the other end of the spring to the block so asto move the said other end from one Vside of the axis of rotation of thearm to the other when the block is moved.

6. A signaling device comprising in combination with a pivoted signalingarm, a pivoted block including a member riding in an arcuate slot formedin the signaling arm with its center of curvature coincident with thepivot of said block and moving about the axis of rot-ation of the armwhen the latter is swung, an actuating spring for the arm fixed at oneend and con- ,i

nected at the other` end to the said member which is moved from one sideof the axis of rotation of the arm Vto the other when the block ismoved.

7. A signaling device comprising in combination with a pivotedsignalingarm, an oscillating r block including a member riding in an arcuate slotformed in the signaling varm with its center of curvature coincidentwith the pivot of said block and moving about the axis of rotation ofthe arm when the latter is swung, an actuating spring for the arm iixedat one end, means connecting the other end of the spring to the block soas to move the said other end from one side of the axis of rotation ofthe arm Vto the other when the block is moved, switch-over gear movablein one direction only and means operable thereby to move the said blockin either direction.

8. A signaling device comprising in combinaltion with a pivotedsignalingarm, a block pivoted I means connecting the other end oi! the spring toing the block about its pivot to swing the signaling arm.

9. A signaling device comprising in combination with a pivoted signalingarm, an oscillating block pivoted on the arm and including a memberriding in an arcuate slot formed in the signaling arm with its center ofcurvature coincident with the pivot of said block and moving about theaxis of rotation of the arm when the latter is swung, an actuatingspring for the arm fixed at one end, means connecting the other end ofthe spring to the block so as to move the said other end from one sideof the axis of rotation of the arm to the other when the block is moved,a pin positioned on said block so as to be coincident with the axis ofrotation of the arm when the latter is in signaling position, andswitchover gear movable in one direction only and means actuated therebyto act on said pin to move said block in either direction.

10. In combination with a signaling device according to claim 5,switch-over gear for oscillating said block, comprising a pivot pin, atoothed Wheel xed to the pivot pin, a one-way operating pawl acting onthe toothed wheel, a spring returning the pawl idly over the toothedwheel when the pawl is released, a double armed lever xed to Said pivotpin, and means connecting said lever with said block so that as the saidlever is moved on each operating stroke of the pawl, the block is movedto swing the signalingarm.

11. A signaling device comprising in combination with a pivotedsignaling arm, an oscillating block pivoted on the arm and including amember riding in an arcuate slot formed in the signaling arm with itscenter of curvature coincident with the pivot of said block and movingabout the axis of rotation of the arm when the latter is swung, anactuating spring for the arm xed at one end, means connecting the otherend of the spring to the block so as to move the said other end from-oneside of the axis of rotation of the arm to the other when the block ismoved, a pivot pin, a toothed wheel fixed to the pivot pin, a one-wayoperating pawl acting on the toothed wheel, a spring returning the pawlidly over the toothed Wheel when the pawl is released, a double armedlever fixed to the said pivot pin,

, a pin positioned on said blocl; so as to be coinslot formed in thesignaling arm with its center of curvature coincident with the pivot ofsaid block and moving about the axis of rotation of the arm when thelatter is swung, an actuating spring for the arm fixed at one end, meansconnesting the other end of the spring to the block so as to move thesaid other end from one side of the axis of rotation of the arm to theother when the block is moved, a pivot pin, a toothed Wheel fixed to thepivot pin, a one-way operating pawl acting on the toothed wheel, aspring returning the pawl idly over the toothed wheel when the pawl isreleased, a double armed lever xed to said pivot pin, means connectingsaid lever with said block so that as the said lever is moved on eachoperating stroke of the pawl the block is moved to swing the signalingarm, a tubular casing surrounding the toothed wheel,

a handle to said pawl, means limiting the rmovement of the handle, and aspring engaging between the toothed wheel and the casing so that itsinwardly bent end slides over a tooth and prevents contra-rotation uponreturn of the handle.

13. In ,combination with a signaling device according to claim 5,switch-over gear for oscillating said block comprising a pivot pin, atoothed wheel :lixed to the pivot pin, a one-way operating pawl actingon the toothed wheel, a spring. returning the pawl idly over the toothedwheel when the pawl is released, a double armed lever i'lxed to saidpivot pin, la. pin on said block, a pivoted lever having one end in thepath of the 2 arms of said double armed lever, and the other end in thepath of said pin, a plate pivoted on said pivoted lever, said plateengaging said pin and lying in the path of the arms of said double armedlever, whereby as the latter is moved on each operating stroke of thepawl the block is moved toswing the signaling arm.

14. A signaling device comprising in combination with a pivotedsignaling arm, an oscillating block pivoted on the arm and including amember riding in an arcuate slot formed in the signaling arm with itscenter of curvature coincident with the pivot of said block and movingabout the axis of rotation of the arm when the latter is swung, anactuating spring for the arm fixed at one end, means connecting theother end of the spring to the block so as to move the said other endfrom one side of the axis of rotation of the arm to the other when theblock is moved, a pivot pin, a toothed wheel iixed to the pivot pin, aone-way operating pawl acting on the toothed wheel, a spring returningthe pawl idly over the toothed wheel when the pawl is released, a doublearmed lever xed to said pivot pin, a pin positioned on said block so asto be coincident with the axis of rotation of the arm when in thesignaling position, a pivoted lever having one end in the path of thearms of said double armed lever and the other end in the path of saidpin, a plate pivoted on said pivoted lever, said plate engaging said pinand lying in the path of the arms of said double armed lever, whereby asthe latter is moved on each operating stroke of the pawl, the block ismoved to swing the signaling arm.

15. The combination with the device according to claim 14, of a tubularcasing surrounding the toothed wheel, a handle to said pawl secured tosaid casing, a second tubular casing fixed within the rst mentionedcasing and having a slot through which the pawl projects, said slotlimiting the movement of the handle, and a spring engaging between thetoothed wheel and the second mentioned casing so that its inwardly bentend slides over a tooth and prevents contra-rotation upon return of thehandle.

ERNST GORLER. HENRY FUCHS.

